A row of ornamental fleurons or printer's marks arranged in two mirrored rows across the top of the page.

To the Right Worshipful his loving Friends,

Master Doctor Coldwell Dean of Rochester;

AND

Master Doctor Redman Archdeacon of Canterbury, etc.

Having identified two such civil magistrates who—for their sound judgment and their handling of justice in this commonwealth—are (in my humble opinion) exceptional individuals, and who I hope will accept my good intentions and test my book against their experience, as the subject matter concerns them deeply; I have now further considered two other fields: namely, Theology original: "Divinity" and Philosophy, which form the foundation of my book. Although I know those magistrates are well-informed in these areas, the judgment and critique of such matters belong more properly to you, whose reputation in these fields has surpassed all others I know in your positions. In that respect, I am bold enough to join you with them, as you are all good neighbors together in this commonwealth and dear friends to me. I do not present this book to you because it is a gift worthy of you, but because you are the right people original: "meet" for it—meaning, to judge it, defend it, and if necessary, correct it. I know you have learned from that serious advisor Cato not to shame or discourage anyone. For if I thought you were as eager as you are able to dismiss me for my lack of skill, I would not have been so quick to write to you, knowing your learning; but if I were too shy to write to you, I would show myself ignorant of your courtesy.

I know my own weakness; if such weakness has been able to support this argument, then the cause itself must be very strong. Eloquent words may please the ears, but solid evidence original: "sufficient matter" persuades the heart. Therefore, if I offer a wholesome drink (even if it is weak) in an earthenware terrene terrene: made of earth or clay; humble or rustic dish with a faithful hand, I hope it will be as well received as strong wine offered in a silver bowl by a flatterer. Certainly, it is as much a sign of generosity to receive a small thing thankfully as it is to give and distribute great and costly gifts bountifully; for courtesy provides more than rich rewards can. The tyrant Dionysius was not hated as much for his tyranny as for his rude and eccentric behavior. Among the sacrifices of the poor Israelites, God was satisfied with a tenth of an ephah ephah: an ancient Hebrew dry measure, roughly equivalent to 22 liters of flour, provided it was fine and good. Christ appreciated the poor widow’s mite mite: a tiny, low-value coin. King Louis of France accepted a turnip original: "Rape-root" from the simple original: "clownish" Conan. Cyrus deigned to drink a cup of cold water from the hand of poor Sinaetes. Likewise, may it please you to accept this simple book from me, which I faithfully present to you. I do not know if your opinions match mine, but I know your learning and judgment are capable of correcting me where I speak unskillfully, and correcting others when they speak of this subject maliciously.

Some people are like dogs that will bark at my writing, whether I support or refute this argument; just as Diogenes snarled at both the Rhodians and the Lacedaemonians—at the first because they were elegantly dressed original: "brave", and at the others because they were not. Even Homer himself could not avoid insults. I am certain that those who never bothered to learn anything good will go out of their way to find faults here. For my part, I do not fear these conflicts or any of the adversaries I have, if not for certain cowards who I know will bite me behind my back.

But now to the main point. My question is not (as many foolishly original: "fondly" suppose) whether there are witches or not, but whether they can perform the miraculous feats attributed to them. Good Master Dean, is it possible for a man to eat breakfast with you in Rochester and have dinner that same day in Durham with Master Doctor Matthew? Or can your enemy maim you when the ocean lies between you? What physical connection original: "real community" is there between a spirit and a body? Can a spiritual body become physical original: "temporal" at its pleasure? Or can a fleshly original: "carnal" body become invisible? Is it likely that the lives of all princes, magistrates, and subjects should depend on the will—or rather the wish—of a poor, mali-